A Practical Approach to Insulation Removal in Essex

For the best outcomes, insulation removal should start with an assessment.

Before doing any insulation removal, it’s advisable to do an assessment of current conditions. In older homes, insulation may have lost its original integrity, or may have deteriorated over time. At this point, it’s important to determine whether removing the insulation is urgent or routine. For homeowners considering insulation removal in Essex County, Great Northern Insulation can do the work from start to finish. It’s a process that begins with insulation removal, continues with repairs and retrofits, and finishes with the reinstallation of high quality insulation product.

Homes are different in size and shape – and insulation removal also differs.

Since every home is different, insulation removal is also going to be different. GNI has come across most scenarios - removals that are rudimentary; removals that are difficult; and removals that can quickly become dangerous. There are also homeowner situations where work is needed after removal but before reinstallation. These are homes with poor insulation; inadequate air sealing; or just badly installed insulation. For homeowners, every inadequacy results in wasted energy, which results in wasted money on heating and cooling the home throughout the year.

Removing insulation while renovating can be both efficient and cost saving.

Removing insulation while renovating can be cost saving when all of the work is well coordinated between the trades. The truth is, when a renovation is already in process, it’s an ideal time to do repairs and retrofits (after the insulation removal, but before reinstallation). For Great Northern Insulation, the removal process begins with a thorough assessment of the current conditions. It gives the GNI team an opportunity to decide how much insulation material to remove entirely, and how much can be recovered. The final step is the re-installation of new insulation product.

In the majority of insulation removals, expertise is needed for best results.

For the best results, insulation removal relies on relevant work experience and expertise. Clearly, removal is more than cleaning up and dumping old insulation. And it’s work that surpasses the expertise of an average homeowner. At Great Northern Insulation, the crews are expert. They use high-powered, industrial vacuums; they remove and dispose all debris; and they ensure the safe management of waste material. When removal work is completed, GNI crews prepare the space for new insulation. This work may include improving the air sealing or retrofitting ventilation.

When the project budget is limited, homeowners may opt for a DIY method.

When project budgets are limited, homeowners sometimes opt for a DIY method. However, with insulation removal, this is not advisable. Insulation removal work is both time-consuming and painstaking. An amateur without any experience could take twice as long as an expert. Worse still, removing insulation can be a hazardous undertaking. Old insulation may be contaminated; it may contain asbestos from a previous installation; or for that matter, it may contain isolated deposits of mold. The work is risky for most - it should be left for the professionals to do it right.

Additional work is required prior to installing any new insulation product.

With insulation removal, homeowners in Essex County can count on GNI for complete end-to-end service. Cleanup work and waste disposal is thorough. Repairs and retrofits are all to code. And new insulation is brand name, top quality. GNI crews are experts in their field: where required, they install new air barriers or vapour barriers; they upgrade and retrofit existing ventilation; and they air-seal the space for complete airtightness. For Great Northern Insulation, air sealing is essential on every job - an airtight space ensures maximum performance for the new insulation.

In all homes, indoor air movement has an effect on the inside environment. But homes that are well sealed tend to manage indoor air movement better. A home that is well sealed will deliver noticeable benefits: indoor air circulation will be better; indoor air quality will be better; and overall energy efficiency will be enhanced. For GNI, every insulation project is about creating a “system” - a combination of elements that work together to maximize energy efficiency. And for the best results, that combination will include air sealing, ventilation, and quality insulation.

In Essex County, Great Northern Insulation provides high quality products.

For homeowners in Essex County, GNI can provide a number of high quality insulation products. One product option is blown insulation, a very popular choice for attics and roofs. In cellulose or fiberglass, this installation creates an effective “thermal blanket” with satisfactory R-Values. GNI also installs traditional fiberglass batt insulation. This is a fitting option for attics and roofs, with good R-Value per inch, and with a reasonably long product lifespan.

Today, knowledgeable homeowners are opting for higher performance insulation. This is where GNI readily recommends Spray Foam Insulation. It’s recognized throughout the industry as the best product of its kind, with more benefits than any comparable product. SFI seals airtight; it’s a combination air barrier/vapour barrier; and it has better R-Value than comparable insulators. SFI lasts a lifetime, and will not need replacement or replenishment.

One of the unique options from GNI is the “hybrid” install. It combines two insulation products in one installation. Firstly, SFI is applied throughout a space. As a complement, the blown insulation is installed afterwards. When professionally installed, results are excellent, and the application is cost-effective for any budget. Bottom line, the yearly savings on heating and air conditioning will often “pay down” the original project investment quite quickly.

For customers in Essex County, the emphasis for GNI is to provide 100% customer satisfaction. Insulation products are the best on the market, with manufacturer’s product warrantees to back up the quality. Furthermore, all installations are company guaranteed. Customers can be assured that project issues are handled with immediacy and priority. In fact, where necessary, GNI will replace or repair (to industry standard) without any additional cost to the customer.

GNI is the Authorized & Trusted Insulation and Air Sealing Installer for Lowe’s

Energy Saving

Energy saving and energy efficiency is easier than one might think. Great Northern Insulation helps to identify performance issues, while taking advantage of improvement opportunities.

100% Canadian

Great Northern Insulation is recognized as Canada's largest full-service insulation contractor. GNI is 100% Canadian owned, proudly serving Ontario customers since 1980.

Do it right the first time - with foam mastersTM

WALLTITE® ECO™ is a high-performance system, professionally installed by certified and approved specialists. Its C.C.M.C. approved (Canadian Construction Materials Centre) - with product quality guaranteed - and with installation by highly trained experts with the technical know-how to do the job right, the first time.

Best of 2017

From reputation to responsiveness, HomeStars consistently ranks Great Northern Insulation at better than 95% for customer satisfaction. Thanks to everyone for the great ratings!

Best of 2018

For the second year in a row, HomeStars consistently ranks Great Northern Insulation at better than 95% for customer satisfaction. Thank you again to everyone!

The GREENGUARD® Gold Certification promise

GREENGUARD® Gold Certification ensures the strictest criteria for low-level chemical emissions. Certified products are safe for individuals with sensitivities (children/elderly) and safe for use in school environments and health-care facilities. The product certification is widely recognized by the LEED Rating System (Leadership in Energy/Environmental Design).

Insulthane® Extreme

For the ultimate in high performance spray foam insulation, Insulthane® Extreme is the professional choice for residential, commercial, and industrial application. With improved thermal performance over other products, Insulthane® Extreme has an exceptionally low Global Warming Potential (GWP). Considered environmentally friendly, this next generation spray foam insulation is non-ozone depleting, and exceeds specifications of other HFC product alternatives.

ECOLOGOTM:Multi-attribute product certification

ECOLOGOTM is an accredited sign of environmental performance – holistic – green – sustainable - and compliant with strict, third party standards. Life cycle criteria for product certification may include manufacturing and operations; health and environment; product materials and performance; and product innovation, development, and management.

3MTM products.Quality + Performance = Savings

3MTM energy-saving products are designed to keep warm air in, and cold air out, while keeping energy bills down. Products optimize energy efficiency in buildings and homes; improve indoor environment for occupants; and effect the reduction of seasonal energy costs. 3M products are authorized for LEED credits (Leadership in Energy/Environmental Design).

Baeumler ApprovedTMProfessional, Certified and Insured

Baeumler ApprovedTM gives you peace of mind when connecting with contractors, trades and home service providers. All Baeumler Approved members have demonstrated high quality work for customers and other trade professionals. Members must also have Workers Compensation, liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 and prove professional certification.

Holmes and Holmes

Mike Holmes and his son Mike Jr. (MJ) convert MJ’s bachelor bungalow into a two-storey home for MJ and his girlfriend Lisa. Choosing the newest materials and build techniques, the father and son team follow Mike’s famous motto – “Make it right.” The show can be watched on HGTV and DIY Network.

Enbridge Incentives

The Energy Conservation Program provides incentives of up to $1,600 to customers who achieve energy efficiency and fuel savings – and Great Northern Insulation can pave the way.

Great Northern Insulation proudly abides by a renovation-specific Code of Conduct set by RenoMark™.